How to Recognize a Mixed-Grace Gospel

[Grace777x70]

In churches every week, you will hear one of two messages. You will either hear a mixed-grace gospel or you will hear the hyper-grace gospel.

Do you know how to tell the difference?

A mixed-grace gospel combines the unmerited favor of God with the merited wage of human-effort. “You are saved by grace but you maintain your position through right-living,” is an example of a mixed-grace message.

“God gives you grace so that you can keep His commands,” is another. These sorts of messages contain an element of grace but ultimately push you to trust in yourself and your own efforts.

Any mixed-grace message can be recognized by the presence of carrots and sticks. Carrots are the blessings you get for obedience; sticks are the penalties you pay for disobedience.

The modern mixed-grace message offers the following carrots: If you confess, you’ll be forgiven; if you do right, you’ll be accepted; if you act holy, you’ll be holy.

And what happens if you don’t do these things? What are the sticks of the mixed-grace message? Fail to perform according to prevailing codes of conduct and you’ll lose your forgiveness, you’ll lose your fellowship, and, if worse comes to worse, you may lose your salvation.

None of this sounds like good news to me.

Yet tragically this is the sort of message that millions of people hear every week. They don’t hear about Jesus; they hear about carrots and sticks.

Bite into any mixed-grace message and you will taste a bitter fruit. You will feel the pressure to perform and smell the fear that comes with failure. You’ll make promises to God and then you’ll break them. You’ll resolve to try harder only to fail again and again. You’ll become burned out and bummed out.

Since a mixed-grace message puts the emphasis on you and what you have done, your identity will become defined by your productivity. You will start to think of yourself as God’s servant instead of His beloved son or daughter. Worst of all, you will end up distracted from Jesus and fallen from grace.

Don’t swallow any poison that comes with a spoonful of grace. And don’t subscribe to any message that leads you to trust in yourself and your works instead of Jesus and His. To paraphrase Watchman Nee, “You can try or you can trust and the difference is heaven and hell.”

And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. (Romans 11:6)

You may have heard that God gives us grace in order to do good works, but this is misleading. God does not give you grace so that you can work. He gives you grace because He loves you. Period.

Those who receive from the abundance of His grace do indeed work and often they work harder than anyone else, but that’s neither here nor there.

The issue is not what you’ll do for God but what you’ll let Him do for you. Will you trust Him a little bit or will you trust Him the whole way? Does His grace merely get you in the front door or does it keep you safe to the very end?

As Jesus said, the only work that counts is the “work” of believing in the One He has sent (John 6:29).

This is the chief takeaway of the hyper-grace gospel.

 

[phil36]

Hi Grace777x70,

I think you have those who disagree with hper grace wrong, I am not saying you are doing this with malice, just out of ignorance. Salvation is all of grace (infact read the quote I have of Matthew Henry). And, yet I can cheerfully and willingly say ''Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" isn't that wonderful good news Grace777x70? wouldn't you rejoice and agree with scripture??

The problem with hyer garce is that you like the grace bit, however, your not so keen on the truth bit (john 1:14)

 

[PeterJens]

A mixed-grace gospel combines the unmerited favor of God with the merited wage of human-effort. “You are saved by grace but you maintain your position through right-living,” is an example of a mixed-grace message.

No one maintains their position in Christ. You either are walking or you are not. You either are in the Kingdom or you are outside.

Grace7x77 believes he needs to persuade the carnal christians to be under grace. What he is actually preaching is Jesus's words do not matter or obedience or righteousness, just his theology.

The truth is the saved are saved, but need to walk in repentance and obedience to love. In reality it is not hard but it is necessary. Many very sincere people have tried for years to be good people and failed, so have given up and think Jesus actually wants us to not care. The fact they have not dealt with sin and emotions in their hearts is just too difficult for them to face, much easier to just junk the faith and take the wide road.

The fruit of this theology is to ignore the words of Jesus before the cross because they were addressed to carnal Jews and not the church.

This should strike terror in any bible believing christian to overthrow Jesus's words which He himself declared as eternal and the means of salvation and transformation. But for these heretics it just roles off the tongue from their favourite teacher and not from the word.

 

[Grace777x70]

We whole heartedly agree with James...he is not in disagreement with the gospel of the grace of Christ....in the area of good works..there is a difference...James is talking about doing works for man to see....hence in context James is talking about seeing your brother in need and helping him....this has nothing to do with faith righteousness....

We have a New Covenant now in Christ.

Romans 10:2-3 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own ( by their own good works ), they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. ( He has good works for us to do..but they originate from Him and flow out of our inner man to others )

Blue is my italics

There is a massive difference between the two "good works" in God's eyes...to men they look the same...

Hi Grace777x70,

I think you have those who disagree with hper grace wrong, I am not saying you are doing this with malice, just out of ignorance. Salvation is all of grace (infact read the quote I have of Matthew Henry). And, yet I can cheerfully and willingly say ''Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" isn't that wonderful good news Grace777x70? wouldn't you rejoice and agree with scripture??

The problem with hyer garce is that you like the grace bit, however, your not so keen on the truth bit (john 1:14)

 

[Grace777x70]

And to ignore the words of Jesus would be ..Myth 8: Hyper-Grace Preachers Disregard the Words of Jesus

“Hyper-grace preachers say the words of Jesus are not for us. They have no authority and are irrelevant to the modern church.”

One of the strangest claims made against hyper-grace preachers is that we are dismissive of the pre-cross teachings of Jesus. In point of fact, hyper-grace preachers are the only ones taking Jesus seriously. When Jesus is preaching law, we say that’s authentic law, not to be taken lightly. And when Jesus is revealing grace, we bow in awestruck gratitude. We would not dare re-interpret his words with qualifiers and caveats.

In contrast, those who preach a mixed-grace message dismiss the hard words of Jesus as hyperbole and exaggeration. “Jesus didn’t mean what he said about chopping off limbs or being perfect.” Like the Pharisees of old, they pick and choose those commands which are to be followed while disregarding others as metaphorical, unreal, and not to be taken seriously.

To be fair, the misperception that hyper-grace preachers reject the teachings of Jesus is based on a kernel of truth, which is this: Everything Jesus said is good, but not everything Jesus said is good for you. Or to put it another way, Jesus spoke words the whole world needs to hear, but you are not the whole world.

What you hear in the words of Jesus reflects what is in your heart. If you are standing on your own righteousness you will hear law like you’ve never heard it before. “You have heard it said … but I say unto you …”

Jesus preached tough, merciless law that leaves no margin for error. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). The message is clear. Either you must be perfect or you must be represented by One who is.

However, if you already know that you are not perfect, you need to hear Jesus’ words of grace. You need to hear him speak about his Father who loves you, cares for you, and offers you his righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

A mixed-grace preacher reads the words of Jesus selectively but a hyper-grace preacher values everything Jesus says. He recognizes that Jesus is the perfect Physician who always prescribes the perfect medicine.

He gives law to the smug and grace to the needy. No matter who you are or where you are on your journey, Jesus has life-saving words for you.

You can click on any of the blue above to expand on what is being said.....

No one maintains their position in Christ. You either are walking or you are not. You either are in the Kingdom or you are outside.

Grace7x77 believes he needs to persuade the carnal christians to be under grace. What he is actually preaching is Jesus's words do not matter or obedience or righteousness, just his theology.

The truth is the saved are saved, but need to walk in repentance and obedience to love. In reality it is not hard but it is necessary. Many very sincere people have tried for years to be good people and failed, so have given up and think Jesus actually wants us to not care. The fact they have not dealt with sin and emotions in their hearts is just too difficult for them to face, much easier to just junk the faith and take the wide road.

The fruit of this theology is to ignore the words of Jesus before the cross because they were addressed to carnal Jews and not the church.

This should strike terror in any bible believing christian to overthrow Jesus's words which He himself declared as eternal and the means of salvation and transformation. But for these heretics it just roles off the tongue from their favourite teacher and not from the word.

 

[Grace777x70]

James does not contradict Paul as one might think...

What About James? (Are We Really Justified by Works?)

Whenever you preach the 100% pure gospel of God’s grace, someone will inevitably ask, “What about James?” The gospel of grace that Paul preached declares that we are saved by faith alone. But James said that faith is not enough, that we need works as well.

Consider the following sound bites from these two great apostles:

Paul: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)

James: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (Jas 2:14)

Paul says “faith, not works,” but James says “I will show you my faith by my works” (Jas 2:18). That’s a little confusing. Paul declares that righteousness “comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rms 3:22).

But James says that merely believing is not enough:

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (Jas 2:19)

And just so we wouldn’t be in any doubt about where he stands on this issue of works, James ends with this:

“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (Jas 2:24, NKJV)

Paul or James? Who’s right

If anyone is interested in the rest of the article which is based on the finished work of our Lord on our behalf..click on the link below....It'll make Jesus bigger in your life and make you want to love Him more..and to know Him more...He's awesome and mighty to save!

What About James? (Are We Really Justified by Works?) – Escape to Reality

 

[PeterJens]

Grace7x77 loves his copy and paste, but does not answer the point.

Read carefully. Obedience to Jesus's words are not part of his message. He does not believe in what Jesus is saying and is accusing us of lying.

Perfection in loving your enemy as the Father loves His enemies.
Dealing with sexual sin, it would be better to loose a hand or eye than go to hell. But in reality sexual sin is a problem of the heart and intimacy, not the members of the body. Jesus is pointing out we excuse our sexual desires too easily, and cultivate fantasy within while outside appear faithful to our commitments.

Now the hope is you feel so condemned you reject the standard as achievable not Jesus is talking emotional reality.
Do you want to be like the hypocrites or start to live a truly righteous life and walk as Jesus walked?

Yes you can accept grace7x77 and cop out but it just leads to death, or listen to Jesus and walk in life?
I know whom I have believed in and am pursuaded He will raise me up on the last day.

 

[PeterJens]

Let me put grace7x77 gospel emotional approach

Create condemnation so people doubt Jesus knew what he was saying. It was said just to make people into failures.

Supply the cross as the forgiveness answer, but legalism or a sense of failure as evil. So the law or righteousness are why the world is in sin, and not a benchmark to show the level of failure that we are born into.

This gospel is only being preached on the basis of appeasement, or easy believism.

 

[ladylynn]

Hi Grace777x70,

I think you have those who disagree with hper grace wrong, I am not saying you are doing this with malice, just out of ignorance. Salvation is all of grace (infact read the quote I have of Matthew Henry). And, yet I can cheerfully and willingly say ''Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" isn't that wonderful good news Grace777x70? wouldn't you rejoice and agree with scripture??

The problem with hyer garce is that you like the grace bit, however, your not so keen on the truth bit (john 1:14)

I don't see Grace777s post misrepresenting this grace subject at all. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Grace and truth go hand in hand. We Christians can be just like any religious human being and do all the 'works' that good people are supposed to do but not understand a thing about grace or truth. Grace is unmerited unearned undeserved love from God. That is the truth of the gospel, the good news. Works are not the good news, they are a by product of walking in the Spirit. Showing how much you work is not evidence of a changed life. Millions of religious people are doing sacrificial seemingly good works including muslims who die for their 'faith' who consider their works of faith to be Allah honoring.

Christians have loooongggg mis used the verse about by their fruits you shall know them to be just plain 'works' of good deeds., like good Christians go to church, follow the 10 commandments etc...but it's talking about the fruits of the Spirit. Any person can do good works but not any person can exhibit the fruits of the Spirit without the Holy Spirit. It is by those fruits you shall know them.

Having the gospel that Jesus brought us the gospel of grace and truth..THAT is the good news that teaches us how to do these works for God from the heart., the new heart that He gives us at the new birth. It is then that Jesus does those works IN and THROUGH us. He is magnified in our lives because the fruits of the Spirit are from the Spirit and not our own oddball motivations. We then have the good works with the proper heart motivation.

 

[Grace777x70]

We love to obey the words of Jesus......He is talking to different people at different times for different reasons...don't take some one else's medicine..

I copy and paste because it gives people a chance to view the word of God from a finished work of Christ lens and not necessarily a legalistic view....if they are interested..they can click on the article and read it for themselves....we will let the Holy Spirit in them teach them what they need to know about Jesus...

How Should We Read the Words of Jesus?


Jesus is the greatest preacher of all time. He told stories and preached sermons the whole world needs to hear. The genius of Jesus is that he often preached one message with two punchlines. If you were confident of your own righteousness, you got law, but if you were not, you got grace.


Consider Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14). Both men went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself. His prayer was a résumé. He thanked God that he was not like other men and bragged about his fasting and tithing. But the tax collector stood at a distance and prayed just seven words: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus ends the story with a bombshell: “The tax collector went home justified before God.”

How does this parable make you feel? Does it fill you with joy or resentment?

Your response to the story is your response to the gospel. If you identify with the sinful tax collector, then this story is good news. Really? He went home justified? That’s the scandal of grace right there. God justifies sinners (Romans 4:5). Search the parable for evidence of the tax collector’s good works or merit, and you’ll find nothing. Grace is for the undeserving. It’s for those without résumés.

But if you are confident of your self-righteousness, this story is not good news at all. “Wait a second. I fast. I tithe. I am better than other people. Jesus, what are you saying?” Jesus doesn’t mince his words. “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled” (Luke 18:14).

That’s a hard word for a hard heart. It’s a word that condemns the self-righteous and silences the boastful. It’s a word of law for those who don’t see their need for grace.

Jesus is brilliant at giving people exactly what they need. Consider the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). Some people love this story, others hate it. I’ve had people tell me, “I feel bad for the older brother. He worked so hard.” They say this because they are working hard. They are good and decent and can’t understand why Jesus would throw a party for prodigals and not for them.

It troubles them that we are inside whooping it up while they’re outside working on their résumés.
The story is real. Every one of us is in it and everyone is invited to the party. Grace is for all. But you’re going to have trouble receiving it if you think of your heavenly Father as an employer. And that’s the whole point. You’re going to have to change your mind about God or you will never enjoy his love.

Words mean different things to different people. If you identify with the tax collector or the prodigal, the words of Jesus are packed with radical grace. You’ll read them with praise and thanksgiving and whoops of joy. But if you identify with the Pharisee or the older brother, his words are extremely unsettling. They are serious words, not fun at all.

Yet if you allow them, the words of Jesus will change you. They will strip you of your religion and reveal your need for grace.

 

[phil36]

Hi Grace777x70,

I am very well aware of the context of James. I know works will never save anyone..I think you have misre my post (I clearly state that). And to correct your error of James, the context is not talking about prideful works for men to see. James is refering to to good works (elsewhere in NT--fruit of the Spirit) that can only come by faith.. to be blunt James is in disagreement with you my friend.

Yes, I also know we are in the new covenant.

Lets have a look at something very interesting!

Romans 1:4ff

4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,


Now just incase you think Paul is just refering to himself regarding ''the OBEDIENCE of faith''.

Romans 16:26ff

but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—


What does Paul mean... and what do you think faith means in regards to and in relation with the gospel and New Covenant.??

 

[Grace777x70]

Here is a link to a teaching based on the finished work of Christ on "obedience to the faith" which may help you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvvImPxKExY

Hi Grace777x70,

I am very well aware of the context of James. I know works will never save anyone..I think you have misre my post (I clearly state that). And to correct your error of James, the context is not talking about prideful works for men to see. James is refering to to good works (elsewhere in NT--fruit of the Spirit) that can only come by faith.. to be blunt James is in disagreement with you my friend.

Yes, I also know we are in the new covenant.

Lets have a look at something very interesting!

Romans 1:4ff

4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,


Now just incase you think Paul is just refering to himself regarding ''the OBEDIENCE of faith''.

Romans 16:26ff

but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—


What does Paul mean... and what do you think faith means in regards to and in relation with the gospel and New Covenant.??

 

[PeterJens]

When do you know someone is brainwashed?

A simple question that undermines their position is not answered, it is ignored.

The question is DEATH. Good, evil or within Gods plan.

 

[gb9]

to hopefully sum this up a little bit anyway, what grace777x7 is saying is in many churches , way too many, there is a mixed-up mish-mash of grace, works, fruits, etc.. taught inproperly. and he is correct. any time anyone teaches or says anything out the grace-faith-works order given by Paul, they are just simply wrong. end of story. always go with what Jesus's hand-picked preacher of the Gospel says. always.

 

[ladylynn]

Grace7x77 loves his copy and paste, but does not answer the point.

Read carefully. Obedience to Jesus's words are not part of his message. He does not believe in what Jesus is saying and is accusing us of lying.

Perfection in loving your enemy as the Father loves His enemies.
Dealing with sexual sin, it would be better to loose a hand or eye than go to hell. But in reality sexual sin is a problem of the heart and intimacy, not the members of the body. Jesus is pointing out we excuse our sexual desires too easily, and cultivate fantasy within while outside appear faithful to our commitments.

Now the hope is you feel so condemned you reject the standard as achievable not Jesus is talking emotional reality.
Do you want to be like the hypocrites or start to live a truly righteous life and walk as Jesus walked?

Yes you can accept grace7x77 and cop out but it just leads to death, or listen to Jesus and walk in life?
I know whom I have believed in and am pursuaded He will raise me up on the last day.

It takes time to learn about the Bible. We can't grasp all of a truth unless we meditate on it and compare Scripture with Scripture. A quick post on CC is not going to do it. Neither will an argument with dueling Bible verses.

Like I've heard so often since learning about reading the Bible., when you see the word 'therefore' find out what it's THERE FOR. Takes time to do that. Posting links about a topic to finish the rest of the meaning is highly beneficial and just common sense if you really want to know what someone is saying.

Why else do we get in these discussions if not to learn? I don't see people calling you a liar but they do say you have misrepresented what they were saying because you do not understand it and won't go any further to try. Being on the defensive cuts off communication.

Perfection is Jesus Christ. We cannot love our enemies unless we know God loves us and that--- by grace....undeserved unmerited unearned un worked for favor from God. Seriously, can you 'love' Grace777? we can't without the Holy Spirit motivating our hearts as His Spirit witnesses with our spirit.
If we are allowing the Spirit to witness with our spirit we simply can't hide or excuse our bad behavior because it's in our face (and His).

It's then we see the ability of the Holy Spirit to actually transform our thinking and our emotions to love like Jesus loved us. It's a revelation of the Holy Spirit that causes our new hearts to beat right along with His. So our love is not phony or put on for show.

Only when we begin to accept grace can these amazing things be done in and through us. It doesn't come from us, it comes from Christ in us and our transformation ...faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We DO begin to SEE our hopelessness to do this on our own and how high the standard is can not be truly said to be of us. (grace comes in) What better answer then to GO to JESUS?? Where else to go??? It is then we can meet the high standard while at the same exact moment know we can't do it ourselves.(grace comes in again) How awesome is that?????!!!!

No, not a cop out but the only way to walk in victory. He already walked it knowing we were sinners when He did it for us by grace.,now we just follow Him like sheep. He says He is the Good Shepherd Who leads His sheep. He meets all the needs of the sheep.,we follow in His footsteps. (by grace)

No more condemnation., no more payments need to be made. Now we follow Him. What an amazing gift.

 

[Grace777x70]

Obedience to the faith is simply to believe in Jesus..the Son of God and His finished work for us on the cross and resurrection

1 John 3:23-24 (NASB)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

We become obedient to the faith by believing on Jesus Christ!

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

to hopefully sum this up a little bit anyway, what grace777x7 is saying is in many churches , way too many, there is a mixed-up mish-mash of grace, works, fruits, etc.. taught inproperly. and he is correct. any time anyone teaches or says anything out the grace-faith-works order given by Paul, they are just simply wrong. end of story. always go with what Jesus's hand-picked preacher of the Gospel says. always.

That is a huge problem. Unfortunately, the new.modern.hyper grace crowd mischaracterizes the problem and creates their own definition of grace according to their own understanding, and goes of in the other direction with their lawless version of grace. It's very similar IMO to the reaction of some of the Protestant reformers against the gross corruptions of the Catholic church. They got some things right, but some other things very wrong.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Hi Grace777x70,

I think you have those who disagree with hper grace wrong, I am not saying you are doing this with malice, just out of ignorance. Salvation is all of grace (infact read the quote I have of Matthew Henry). And, yet I can cheerfully and willingly say ''Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" isn't that wonderful good news Grace777x70? wouldn't you rejoice and agree with scripture??

The problem with hyer garce is that you like the grace bit, however, your not so keen on the truth bit (john 1:14)

this is a perfect example of a "mixed grace" Gospel.

One claimes we are saved by grace.. Yet can get away from those works. And sadly uses a misinterpretation fo James (who was telling people he wrote to to make sure their faith was real and not dead) That true faith produces works, If works are not present, then your faith (which is no more than a claimed faith, or mere belief) is dead (not faith at all)

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Let me put grace7x77 gospel emotional approach

Create condemnation so people doubt Jesus knew what he was saying. It was said just to make people into failures.

Supply the cross as the forgiveness answer, but legalism or a sense of failure as evil. So the law or righteousness are why the world is in sin, and not a benchmark to show the level of failure that we are born into.

This gospel is only being preached on the basis of appeasement, or easy believism.

sadly, it is easier to believe in your gospel. Because you can see results. and excuse your sin.

It is harder to have faith alone, because it is the substance of things which one can not see.. They have to have blind faith.. based on the hope of eternal life

 

[peacefulbeliever]

No one maintains their position in Christ. You either are walking or you are not. You either are in the Kingdom or you are outside.

Grace7x77 believes he needs to persuade the carnal christians to be under grace. What he is actually preaching is Jesus's words do not matter or obedience or righteousness, just his theology.

The truth is the saved are saved, but need to walk in repentance and obedience to love. In reality it is not hard but it is necessary. Many very sincere people have tried for years to be good people and failed, so have given up and think Jesus actually wants us to not care. The fact they have not dealt with sin and emotions in their hearts is just too difficult for them to face, much easier to just junk the faith and take the wide road.

The fruit of this theology is to ignore the words of Jesus before the cross because they were addressed to carnal Jews and not the church.

This should strike terror in any bible believing christian to overthrow Jesus's words which He himself declared as eternal and the means of salvation and transformation. But for these heretics it just roles off the tongue from their favourite teacher and not from the word.

Once born again our "standing" within the family (household) of God is secure. Our "standing" is that of a son/daughter. How long will we be sons/daughters? Is not the spirit placed within us eternal and incorruptible? Then our "standing" in the household of God, as a member of the body of Christ is eternal and incorruptible.

Now, my "state" within the family can fluctuate and it is based on my BEHAVIOR. Just as in an earthly family. Our children are our children - but when they misbehave they are "disconnected" from family activities usually by being grounded. It's the same way in our spiritual family - we become "disconnected", i.e. out of fellowship, with the Father, the Son and with other believers - but when we ask for forgiveness - say we are sorry for what we have done - that fellowship is restored - works that way in our earthly families and within the household of God. There are some that do not believe that we need to ask forgiveness for things done after our salvation - maybe that is the "hyper-grace" - or maybe this is considered "mixed grace" - I don't know. All I know is that I do believe that we need forgiveness to restore that fellowship and communion within the body and with our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our BEHAVIOR is what Christ will judge when we are before the judgment seat of Christ - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive what is due for what he has DONE in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Cor. 5:10 - Note - we are not before the judgment seat of Christ to discern our salvation - we wouldn't even be before the judgment seat of Christ if we were not saved!